Autographic register



Oct. 25, 1932;

J. Q. SHERMAN AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTER I Filed July 18, 1931 pgwggg mow.

Patented Oct. 25, 1932 UNITED. STATES:

ion a. SHERMAN, or DAYTON, orno aurooaumc REGISTER Application fled July 18,

This invention relates to autographic registers wherein continuous superposed webs of paper are simultaneously fed over a writing tablet through an intermittent or step by step 6 movement and then a portion thereof torn oil in sections or leaves, while one or more strips are returned to the cabinet or housing of the register, and pertains more particularly to a paper guide unit wherein strip guides, carbon mounting means, and a separator plate are all mounted on the writing tablet independently of the frame or cabinet.

The object of the invention is to improve the construction as well as the mode and manner of operation of autographic registers whereby they will be more eflicient in operation, capable of feeding folded, wrinkled or otherwise irregular material uniformly and smoothly, and unlikely to get out of repair.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide a unitary structure wherein the several operating parts are mounted independently of the cabinet or main frame, and wherein the separator plate is pivotally mounted on a the writing tablet. I

A further object of the invention is to pro vide a new and improved form of the separator plate having an anti-friction feature.

, With the-above primary and other incidental objects in view, as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of ,operation, or their equivalents as hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

In the drawing wherein is shown the preferred, but obviously not necessarily, the only form of the embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an autographic register, partly broken away, to which the present invention has been applied. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the writing tablet and associated strip guides, carbon mounting and separator plate removed from the regis-j ter; Fig. 3 is a top plan view illustratin the relation of the separator plate and the feeding devices. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view also illustrating the relation of the sep- 0 arator plate and the feeding devices.

- material are and for the storage 1931. Serial No. 551,785.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters' of reference throughout the several views.

The present improvement pertains more particularly to the type of autographic register wherein superposed strips of manifolding intermittently advanced over the writing tablet by feeding devices having feeding engagement therewith.

The present use of a separator or guide plate by which a portion of the strips are 'ded from the register and one or more un erlying strips are returned thereto, isquiteold and Y well known but heretofore such plate has been mounted on the register cabinet or on 65 the feeding device support independently of v the writing tablet, and subject to variation in its relation thereto.

In the present construction the separator plate is mounted directly upon the writing tablet in relatively constant relation, unaffected by inaccuracies of cabinet assembly or straining or looseness of the cabinet parts. While the change is but a simple one the .results have been quite advantageous and facilitates the feeding of material uniformly and smoothly.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, 1 is an autographic register cabinet of which 2 is the writing tablet' and 3 pin wheel feed devices actuated by the hand crank 4. The cabinet 1 afiords storage space for a supply of superposed strips of manifolding material 5 which are shown as superfolded or collectively folded reversely into zig-zag formation,

of a completed record strip 6 which is automatically returned to the register. The su ply strips 5 are fed over guldes 6 carried y the writing tablet and thence over'the writing tablet 2 where carbon material 7 is interleaved transversely between the strips. The carbon material 7 is supplied from a supply roll within a trough or compartment 8 at one side of the tablet 2 and extending across the tablet 2 between the superg posed strips is secured at the opposite side by a clamp bar 9 also mounted upon the tablet. At the forward end of the tablet the teeth or studs of pin wheels 3 are progressively r0- ected through slots 10 in the writing tablet into engagement within the re 'stering marnal holes 11 in the mani olding strips. verlyng the strips coincident with the feeding devices, is a spring actuated vertically movable clamp bar 12 which serves as a keeper to maintain the perforated strips in engagement with the pin wheels during the feeding operation, and which is automatically I vance portions of the strips are torn off by manual effort. This construction is that of a typical autographic register and forms no part, per se, of the resent invention. Freely pivoted in upstan ing fingers or ears 13 at the forward end of the writing tablet is a guide plate or separator 14 which extends between the superposed strips guiding the overlying strips upward and away from the register and simultaneously guiding the underlying strip 6 back into the register storage space. Tongues 15 struck downward from the plate 14 facilitate the guiding action upon the underlying strip 6. Theplate 14 is preferably of triangulanform, the free end of which extends in overlapping relation with the writing tablet to a point intermediate the pin wheels 3 which have feeding engagement with the strips. To minimize friction, the extreme end of the plate is made of increased thickness either by welding a piece thereto, or by bending the extreme end reversely as at 16. The clamp bar is recessed on its under side to accommodate the separator plate 14 with such thickened end 16. Thus while the I bar 12 acting as a keeper maintains the strips which is minimized by the thickened initial edge 16. The tear line being in front of the range of feeding engagement of the pin wheels with the strips is beyond the thickened end of the plate. However ragged the edge may be torn or however the folds may be dis osed relative to the tear line, the strips will s ide freely over and under the plate 14 without resistance.

-While se arator plates have been heretofore used or similar purpose, the present disposition of the 1m in a difierent relafore the cabinet is closed. It also enables therelation of the separator plate to the strips and feeding devices to be accurately determined at the time of manufacture, and prevents any subsequent change of relationship.

The trian lar form of the plate with its thickened initial ed e efieets initial separation on the center line of the strips the divergent edges of the plate effecting subsequent separation uniformly and, gradually in opposite directions with minimum friction thereby minimizing strains upon the feeding devices and resistance to the advance of the strips.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the characterdescribed possessin the particular features of advantage be ore enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages. 1

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form of several modes of putting the invention into effect and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the le itimate and valid scope of the appende claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In an autographie register, the combination with a cabinet and record strip feeding means mounted therein, of a unitary strip supporting and guiding structure includin a writing tablet, strip guiding means loca at one end thereof, a pivotally mounted se arator plate for the strips located at t e opposite end of the writing tablet, a fixed pivot for supporting said plate and carbon mounting means located at opposite sides of the tablet.

2. In an autographic register, the combination with record strip feeding means, of a writing tablet having an extension, and a separator plate for the record strips pivotally mounted upon the extension of the writing tablet and extending in overlapping relation therewith.

3. In an autographic register, the combination with record strip feeding means of a writing tablet having'an extension, and a separator plate for the record strips yieldingly mounted upon said extension 1n proximate relation with the feeding means for guiding the strips apart as they pass the feeding means.

4. In an autographic register, the combination with record strip feeding means of a writing tablet having an extension, and a separator plate of substantially triangular form pivotally mounted upon the extension of the writing tablet and extending into overlapping relation therewith in proximate relation with the strip feeding means 5. In an autographio register, the combination with spaced pin wheel feeding devices for record strips, of a writing tablet having an extension and a sector shaped separator plate for the record strips supported upon the extension of the writing tablet and extending in overlapping relation therewith intermediate the pin wheel feeding devices.

6. In an autographic register, a writing tablet over which superposed record strips are progressively fed, a pair of spaced feeding means for such strips, and means for separating the strips one from another mounted upon the writing tablet, said second means extending between the strip feeding means.

7. In an autographic register,awriting tablet over which superposed record strips are progressively fed, a pair ofparallel spaced pin wheel feeding devices for such strips, and separator means carried by the writing tablet and extending intermediate the pin-wheel feeding devices for separating certain of saidstrips from the remainder in advance of the feeding devices.

8. In an autographic register, a writing tablet over which superposed record strips are progressively fed, feeding means for the strips and a separator plate carried by the Writing tablet in proximate relation with the strip feeding means, for separating certain of the strips from the remainder as they are advanced by the feeding devices, the initially" engaging portion of the separator plate being of increased thickness.

9. In a manifolding apparatus, feeding means for progressively advancing a plurality of superposed record strips past a given point, and a separator plate interposed between the strips for divergently guiding certain strips of the plurality, said separator plate being of increased thickness at its initially engaging edge, thereby affording clearance and minimizing friction adjacent to the face of the plate.

10. In a manifolding apparatus, relatively spaced pin wheel feeding devices for progressively. advancing a plurality of superposed marginally punched record strips past a given point, a keeper for maintaining the strips in loose feeding engagement with the pin wheel feeding devices, and a plate of varying thickness for medially separating the record strips prior to their disengagement from the pin wheel feeding devices.

11; In a manifolding apparatus, a Writing tablet over which a plurality of superposed record strips are progressively fed, parallel spaced strip feeding devices, and a sector shaped separator plate mounted upon the writing tablet with its apex extending intermediate the spaced strip feeding devices for medially separating certainstrips from the remainder while such separated portions are yet engaged by the feeding devices.

12. In a manifolding apparatus, a writing tablet over which a plurality of superposed record strips are progressively fed, strip feeding means, a sector shaped separator plate pivoted to the writing tablet and extending in overhanging relation therewith with the apex of the plate extending beyond the point of engagement of the strip feeding means for divergent-1y guiding adjacent strips.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 11th day of July A. I). 1931.

JOHN Q. SHERMAN. 

